Agencies/Kathmandu
The Nepal government has filed a case against 13 Maoist cadres for their alleged involvement in the murder of a 16-year-old school boy in 2004 during the decade-long civil strife in the country, prompting the Maoists to obstruct parliament yesterday.
The Maoists were arrested for abducting and killing Krisna Prasad Adhikari after his parents Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Ganga Maya held a protest fast lasting 171 days, demanding action against the culprits.
The condition of the parents is said to be critical and they are currently undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu.
In spite of their condition, they have declined to end the hunger strike. They had suspended their hunger strike for a few days at the government's request.
In the case filed in Chitawan district court life imprisonment has been sought against 13 Maoists, including Chhabilal Poudyal, for their alleged involvement in the incident.
The arrest comes in the wake of serious concerns raised by the UN over the government's move to table a bill in parliament giving amnesty to those accused of serious human rights violations during the civil war.
On Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned that the passage of the bill could destabilise the country.
"While I welcome steps taken by the government of Nepal to take the transitional justice process forward, I am extremely concerned by its new attempt to introduce amnesty for serious human rights violations.
"Such amnesty not only violates core principles under international law but would also weaken the foundation for a genuine and lasting peace in Nepal," Pillay said.
The UCPN-Maoists today stalled the Constituent Assembly in protest against the government move to file the charge sheet against the party cadres.
Constituent assembly chairman Subash Chandra Nembang adjourned the House for an hour after the Maoist leaders stood from their seats and protested.
The government has recently registered a bill for setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to look into human rights violations during the decade long civil conflict which claimed more than 16,000 lives.
The UN Human Rights Council has prepared a profile of 9,000 cases of human rights abuses committed during the decade-long conflict by both the state and Maoists.
The Maoists have warned they will disrupt Parliament and protest on the streets if the charge sheet is not withdrawn.
The party also boycotted the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Tuesday. However, a senior minister has said the government is in no position to interfere with the court proceedings.
"The government will not interfere with the court's proceedings. So chances of withdrawing the cases against the Maoist cadres are slim," senior leader of Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi said.
Nepali Congress vice president Ramchandra Poudyal has urged the UCP-Maoist not to stall the constituent assembly, which functions as parliament.
Nepal witnessed a decade-long Maoist insurgency between 1996 and 2006 in which more than 16,000 people died.
